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Release of Taliban Leaders Angers U.S.
Friday, January 11, 2002
By Gay Alcorn
United States Correspondent

"Those men who have surrendered are our brothers, and we have allowed them to live in a peaceful manner. They will not be handed over to America."

WASHINGTON -- The Age
Regional officials in Afghanistan have freed seven senior Taliban officials, defying American demands to hand over ousted leaders and highlighting the increasingly different interests of Afghan warlords and the US Defence Department.

With limited numbers of ground troops, the Americans continue to rely on Afghan forces to round up the remaining Taliban leaders and al Qaeda members, but the new government has only limited control of local officials ruling parts of the fractured country.

Particularly galling to the US is the release of the ousted justice minister, Nooruddin Turabi, who oversaw the Taliban's strict version of Islamic law, including public executions and the destruction of ancient statues of Buddha.

An Afghan government spokesman confirmed the release, saying the administration was not consulted about the decision. He said the government was especially concerned about the release of Mr Turabi and Abdul Haq, the former chief of security for the city of Herat.
(More: TheAge.com News Source)
2002 © The Age Company, Ltd.

Dan